Shloka 17
मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम्
The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma
अल्पपुण्ये: निवृत्तार्थे: मूढे: पण्डितमानिनि: ।शृणुभर्तृवधंसीते: घोरंवृत्रवधंयथा ।।।।
alpa-puṇye nivṛttārthe mūḍhe paṇḍita-mānini | śṛṇu bhartṛ-vadhaṃ sīte ghoraṃ vṛtra-vadhaṃ yathā ||
O Frau von geringem Verdienst, die sich von den Zielen des Lebens abgewandt hat, töricht und doch sich für gelehrt haltend — o Sītā, höre von der schrecklichen Tötung deines Gemahls, wie von der Erschlagung Vṛtras.
"O woman of less merit! You are one who has given up all worldly actions. Stupid one! You pretend as if you know everything. O Sita! Hear about your husband 's death like that of Vrthasura."
FAQs
The verse demonstrates the unethical use of speech: insult and false intimidation as tools of coercion. Dharma upholds satya (truth) and ahiṃsā in speech; Rāvaṇa violates both by weaponizing words.
Rāvaṇa escalates his attempt to break Sītā’s resolve by claiming he will describe Rāma’s death, comparing it to a famed mythic slaughter (Vṛtra).
Sītā’s inner strength is again implied—endurance and discernment in the face of verbal aggression and intimidation.